SUDDEN DEATH OF MRS. ROWAN, KILDARE

Kildare Observer 16 September 1911

SUDDEN DEATH OF MRS. ROWAN, KILDARE  

With almost tragic suddenness Mrs. Rowan, wife of the much-respected medical practitioner, Dr. L. Rowan, took place on Tuesday afternoon at her residence, Valetta, Kildare.  The deceased lady had just prepared to go for a drive, and was out in the garden, opposite the study, when she dropped as if in a faint.  Dr. Rowan, who had just come in from attending some of his patients, immediately rushed to her assistance.  Dr. E. T. Coady was promptly communicated with, but on his arrival it was found that she was beyond all human aid.  The news spread rapidly throughout the neighbourhood of Kildare, where the deceased lady was held in much esteem, and much sympathy was expressed at her sudden and untimely end.  Mrs. Rowan, who was only 35 years of age, leaves three children, all of which are very young.  To Dr. Rowan and the deceased lady’s relatives we tender our sincere sympathy.

The Inquest

On Wednesday morning, at 11 o’clock, Dr. Kenna, Coroner for South Kildare, held an inquest on the remains of the late Mrs. Rowan.  The following were sworn on the jury: – Messrs D. Boland (foreman), W. J. Doyle, E. J. Burke, J. Hennessy, J. Hutchinson, W. Sheridan, Jas. Nolan, Wm. Ryan, J. P. Connolly, Joseph Dunne, Thos. Conway, and Francis Fitzpatrick.

Dr. Rowan was the first witness examined, and identified the remains as those of his wife, who was 35 years of age.  He (Dr. Rowan) had been out, and had only just returned home prior to her dying.

Matthew Kenny, coachman to Dr. Rowan, deposed he had instructions to drive Mrs. Rowan to the 3.20 p.m. train, when suddenly he heard Dr. Rowan calling him to come quickly, and on his running to Dr. Rowan he saw the dead body of Mrs. Rowan in the garden opposite the study.

Miss Bridget Crawley, nursery governess, deposed seeing Mrs. Rowan dead on the ground.

Mr. Andrew Fitzpatrick having been sworn, stated that five minutes prior to Mrs. Rowan’s body being found he had seen her walking in her garden in front of her house.

Dr. E. T. Coady deposed that from a superficial examination which he made of the remains, he had come to the conclusion that the deceased lady’s death was due to cardiac failure of the heart.

The Coroner having summed up, a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony was returned, and Dr. Kenna stated that he was sure he was only voicing the minds of the jurymen in tendering a vote of condolence to Dr. Rowan.

The Funeral

The funeral, which took place at two o’clock, was very largely attended, and as the cortege passed through the town en route to the cemetery near Clongorey blinds were drawn on all the houses and business was suspended as a mark of respect to the deceased. The chief mourners were:-

Dr. L. Rowan (husband), Messrs. Fulham (brothers), Mr. L. Fulham (cousin), Mr. Rowan (father-in-law). Amongst the general public were: Rev. Fr. Waldron, C.C.; Mr. C. Bergin, J.P.; Mr. J. Bergin, Mr. John Moore, J.P.; Mr. Jas. Coffey (Ellistown), Mr. P. Coffey (Caragh), Mr. P. Talbot, Mr. Edward O’Neill, Mr. Joseph Dunne, Mr. J. C. M’Grane, Mr. Thos. Cullen, Mr. Patk. Keely, Mr. A. P. Barton, Mr. C. J. Heffernan, Mr. M. Heffernan, Mr. E. Heffernan, Mr. J. Corry, D.C.; Mr. F. M. Gray, Mr. H. Buxton, Mr. W. Watson, Mr. D. Dunne, Mr. Power (Waterstown), Mr. J. Hannon, Mr. W. Doyle, Mr. T. Harte, Mr. J. Cosgrove, Mr. L. Ryan, Mr. T. M’Hugh, Mr. F. Strath, Mr. E. Burke, Mr. John Healy, J.P.; Mr. S. Malone, J.P.; Mr. Domican, Mr. M. J. Spain, Mr. P. Moore, Mr. J. Moore, Mr. C. M’Nabb, Mr. Jas. Nolan, Mr. D. J. Purcell (Clerk of Naas Union), Mr. D. Carberry, Mr. W. A. Cooney, Mr. J. Fitzpatrick (Lackagh), Mr. Joseph Bergin, Mr. D. Jackson, Mr. Savage, Mr. Joseph Doyle, Mr. J. Murphy (Rathangan), Mr. J. Logan, Mr. Hannigan, Mr. T. Behan, Mr. Cunningham (Suncroft), Mr. S. Bratton, C.P.S.; Mr. J. Cummins, Mr. L. Ennis, Mr. Jeremiah Hackett, Mr. John Hackett, Mr. Flynn (Rathangan), Mr. M. Dennehy, Mr. Denis Flood, Mr. E. Glover (County Surveyor), Mr. T. Langan, Mr. Forbes, Mr. Thomas M’Hugh, Mr. John Moore, Mr. J. P. Connolly, Mr. Graham, Mr. Hennessy, Mr. W. Coffey, Mr. Kelly, Mr. E. Breslin, Mr. D. Boland, Mr. D. Conway, Mr. Hughes, Messrs. M’Cormack, Mr. P. Murphy (Watergrange), Mr. T. Conway, Mr. F. Fitzpatrick, Mr. W. Ryan, Mr. W. Sheridan, etc., etc.